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It's likely to be a wet start to the long weekend for most parts of the country, but the rain is expected to clear and be replaced by sunny skies for Anzac Day on Monday.

In Auckland, cloudy periods, chance showers and northerly breezes are forecast for today. Those showers turn to rain tomorrow, but clear late in the day. On Monday, fine spells and a high of 21C are expected.

It is much the same story for Whangarei; a wet few days will be followed by a sunny and warm Monday.

In Hamilton, cloudy periods and chance evening showers are likely. Rain is expected tomorrow, which should clear by Monday.

Meanwhile, in Napier sunny skies are expected today followed by rain tomorrow and a drizzly Monday, while in Wellington, rain should soak the capital today but ease tomorrow. Monday is expected to be fine with a high of 16C.

MetService meteorologist Nicole Ranger said Monday was looking dry and sunny for most of the country.

"A front is moving up the South Island today and then it will move up the North Island on Sunday. We will have some rain with the front, but most places are looking clear for Anzac morning."

In the South Island, most regions are expected to have some rain over the weekend. A heavy rain warning is in place for Fiordland and Westland today. Around the Westland ranges, up to 180mm of rain is possible during the day and rainfall intensities may reach 30mm an hour at times.

MetService has warned rivers and streams could rise rapidly and cause surface flooding and slips.